Electromagnetic sensitivity

I am a registered nurse with more than a decade of experience in healthcare, and my experience with electromagnetic sensitivity developed in the context of a significant environmental illness. My health initially declined after living in a water-damaged, mold-contaminated home. I developed severe neurological and systemic symptoms, including vertigo, tinnitus, cognitive changes, headaches, sleep disruption, and other symptoms that dramatically affected my ability to function. After leaving that environment, my health improved significantly. I eventually moved into a different home and initially felt well there. That is when I began recognizing something I had not previously understood: electromagnetic exposures appeared to trigger some of my neurological symptoms even when I was no longer living in the mold-contaminated environment. I began noticing repeatable patterns with certain exposures. Turning on Wi-Fi could bring on unusual neurological sensations in my head. Certain electronics could trigger sharp headaches and uncomfortable sensations in my chest or heartbeat. Increasing my distance from these sources, turning wireless devices off, and hard-wiring equipment often reduced the symptoms. What made this particularly interesting to me as a nurse was that I did not react equally to every electronic environment. For example, I could work around hard-wired hospital computers without experiencing the same degree of symptoms. That made me begin paying closer attention to the type and characteristics of the exposure rather than assuming that all electronics affected me equally. I am not claiming that my experience proves that electromagnetic exposure caused these symptoms. I am reporting a pattern that became sufficiently reproducible that I could no longer dismiss it. My experience also raises a question that I believe deserves serious research: Could environmental illness or other biological stressors make some individuals more susceptible to electromagnetic exposures? In my case, the sensitivity became apparent following a period of significant illness associated with a water-damaged building. I encourage HHS to investigate people who report electromagnetic sensitivity rather than studying only healthy populations. Research should examine whether previous environmental exposures, chronic inflammation, neurological injury, or other biological factors may identify susceptible subgroups. Controlled and blinded exposure studies could help determine whether reported symptoms correspond with measurable physiological or neurological changes. There is still much we do not understand. As both a nurse and someone who has personally experienced this phenomenon, I believe patient experiences like mine should be treated as observations worthy of investigation—not as proof of causation, but as signals that can help us ask better scientific questions. I hope HHS will pursue rigorous, independent research into electromagnetic exposure, individual susceptibility, cumulative exposure, and the experiences of people reporting electromagnetic sensitivity.

Yes I'm highly sensitive to emf. When I'm in close range to any wireless, Bluetooth or 5G My skin feels like it's burning, I start sweating, hard to think straight, my eyes will flutter, I get anxious, hard to sleep, get headaches, ears hurt, etc.

I (female, 76) have been sensitive to EMF exposure my whole adult life, beginning with living on the 6th floor of a dorm at the U of Az. in 1967, facing Davis Monthan AFB a few miles away. I was on a metal dorm bed lined up with the AFB, apparently acting as an antenna to powerful military radar thought to be ok near cities because of its elevation. I had to sleep on the grounded floor to get relief. I believe that this is what triggered lifelong restless legs syndrome, which has been very limiting and often torturous: I am in the worst 1-3% of RLS patients.Despite meds, I often have to turn my cell phone off or put it down. Laptop keyboards trigger it as well, along with flying, driving, full moon etc. all of which have high magnetic components to their fields. The best sleep of my adult life was camping, on the ground, no cell phones nearby.

I have self-diagnosed EHS (Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome). I choose to live in a rural area away from wifi hotspots, cell phone towers, and 5G antennas. And the home I live in has an analogue meter instead of an AMI (Smart meter). After 20 minutes of exposure to AMI technology (within 30-40 feet), or RF/EMF, I start to experience mood disorders, neurological problems, and pain. This includes anger, anxiety, and what feels like needles poking into my brain. After about 30-60min of exposure, my symptoms increase to include panic attacks, neck and shoulder pain, dizziness, and suicidal thoughts. Because of the prevalence of RF/EMF, I cannot be inside a mall or large grocery store for more than 30 minutes before the pain/dizziness begins. I cannot be inside smaller businesses, such as restaurants, libraries, and doctor offices, for more than an hour. I cannot hang out at the homes of friends and family unless I stay 30-40 feet away from their smart meters and RF/EMF emitting devices. I cannot use a smart phone, nor can I be around other peoples’ smart phones while in use. And when I use my flip phone to make/receive calls, I have to hold it 2 feet away from my head. And I cannot live within one mile of a cell phone tower. In the past, I’ve bought several different RF/EMF blocking materials and devices to shield myself from this radiation, but they didn’t work. I recognize that I am abnormally sensitive. I attribute that sensitivity to the 2 medical conditions I’ve been diagnosed with: The first is dysautonomia (an impaired autonomic nervous system), and second, I have myalgic encephalomyelitis, aka ME, (a chronic low-grade inflammation in my brain). Sensitive individuals like myself should probably be taken seriously. We are the canaries in the coal mine: an early indicator of potential danger. But...I’ve noticed that the vast majority of the information of EHS, on the internet, is derogatory. Some websites have suggested that suffers, like me, are mentally ill, or that we are “making it up.” This is a painful reality, but I try to remind myself that this is how it goes with new illnesses until enough public awareness is achieved. Jack Dorsy (Twitter founder) is also a sufferer – maybe he will help raise awareness someday.

Bonjour, Je suis devenue électro-hypersensible et chimico-sensible en 2008, à l’âge de 38 ans, à la suite du déclenchement de la maladie de Ménière. Puis, de nombreux autres problèmes de santé sont apparus : brûlures corporelles, douleurs musculaires et articulaires, problèmes de thyroïde et troubles digestifs, maux de tête et douleurs cervicales, inflammations, pertes d’équilibre, grande fatigue chronique, etc. J’ai dû quitter mon appartement à Nice, car je ne pouvais plus y vivre à cause du Wi-Fi provenant des logements voisins ainsi que d’une antenne-relais située à proximité. L’enfer est alors devenu mon quotidien. Je vis aujourd’hui dans une petite maison de village dans laquelle je me sentais enfin bien. Hélas, cela n’a pas duré longtemps. Depuis 2016, je subis quotidiennement ce que j’identifie comme les ondes radio émises par le système d’alarme Verisure de ma voisine, 24 heures sur 24. C’est devenu un véritable enfer ! Sans parler des autres voisins qui utilisent régulièrement Internet via le point d’accès Wi-Fi de leur téléphone ou d’autres appareils. Pour moi, ces situations sont extrêmement douloureuses et déclenchent des sensations de brûlure, et parfois même une sensation d’étouffement. Je n’ai jamais pu voyager ni partir en vacances. Le Wi-Fi est désormais présent partout, notamment dans les hôtels. C’est aberrant ! Voilà ma vie : une véritable prison. Je ne peux pas vivre normalement, ni me déplacer librement, ni profiter des choses les plus simples de la vie sans craindre de subir à nouveau ces symptômes. Hello, I developed electromagnetic hypersensitivity and chemical sensitivity in 2008, at the age of 38, following the onset of Ménière’s disease. Since then, many other health problems have appeared: burning sensations throughout my body, muscle and joint pain, thyroid problems and digestive disorders, headaches and neck pain, inflammation, loss of balance, severe chronic fatigue, and many other symptoms. I had to leave my apartment in Nice because I could no longer live there due to the Wi-Fi coming from neighboring apartments, as well as a mobile phone antenna located nearby. My life became a living nightmare. I now live in a small village house where I finally felt comfortable and at peace. Unfortunately, that did not last long. Since 2016, I have been exposed on a daily basis to what I identify as radiofrequency emissions from my neighbor’s Verisure alarm system, 24 hours a day. It has become a living hell! On top of that, other neighbors regularly use the Internet through their phones’ Wi-Fi hotspots or other devices. For me, these situations are extremely painful and trigger burning sensations, and sometimes even a feeling of suffocation. I have never been able to travel or go on holiday. Wi-Fi is now everywhere, particularly in hotels. It is unbelievable! This is my life: a real prison. I cannot live normally, travel freely, or enjoy the simplest things in life without constantly fearing that I will experience these symptoms again.

I am submitting this comment in response to HHS’s Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. I am responding from the perspective of a patient. I have personally been affected by wireless radiation. I get extremely nauseated, itchy and buzzy all over my skin when using my iPhone or iPad connected to Wi-Fi.. I have had to disable 5G on all my devices to be able to touch them even for a short time. I get very anxious when near 5g towers or around large groups of people using phones like in a coffee shop or at my place of worship. I can not use any smart watches or even Bluetooth watch for tracking my steps. I was burned on my wrist from the red light against my skin on the Apple Watch and stop wearing it, as it didn’t matter which wrist i wear on I get burnt and buzzy feeling. I have to keep wireless router off at home as long as possible unless we need to print from our wireless printer.. We bought a house purposely with zero smart features as I am so sensitive. I support HHS taking an active role in examining the potential health and environmental effects of wireless radiation. Questions about human health should be addressed by federal agencies with appropriate expertise in medicine, biology, epidemiology, and public health, and the experiences of individuals and families who report being affected should be considered alongside the scientific evidence. I urge HHS to carefully evaluate these experiences and the scientific evidence, identify gaps in current research, give particular attention to children and other potentially vulnerable populations, and establish appropriate federal research priorities regarding wireless radiation and public health. Thank you for providing individuals and families with an opportunity to be heard.

Ever since I had a concussion 5 years ago, I've been markedly EMF sensitive. Mostly wifi, and sometimes 5G, but also household AC. My cell phone is limited to 4G, and I do not use wifi in my residence 90% of the time, but I am surrounded by it from neighbors. Fatigue, foggy headedness, depressed mood... I am not the only one, it's simply not possible. I have been able to isolate this over the last number of years, when I go camping in the summer and there is only a weak 4G signal, I start to feel better in many ways. I also know that it's not just camping, because the rejuvenation has in some years worn off within -hours- of re-entering a wifi-plastered neighborhood where I live. The idea that "because EMF's don't clearly and obviously affect 51+% of all people, we don't need to do anything about them" is ridiculous. There are well over a thousand studies done within Europe, many of them available in English. In a globalized world, we can't be considered reasonable and responsible leaders if we don't take lessons from other parts of the world. I'm pretty sure science works in Europe too... therefore their findings are valid. Furthermore, I have tried various EMF shielding / dampening / conditioning devices with some having high impact, and others perhaps being too strong / not compatible with me. Another set of datapoints confirming this is a serious issue dramatically lowering the quality of my life, and my ability to serve people in the health & wellness industry, my family, friends, and community.

Public Comment and Policy Recommendations Regarding Aggregate RF, EMF, Conducted Electrical Interference, and Child/School Exposure Please see the attached document for my full public comment. I am submitting these comments to address the critical public-health implications of prolonged, cumulative, multi-source radiofrequency (RF) and electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, conducted electrical interference (dirty electricity), electrohypersensitivity (EHS), and lighting/electrical stressors in homes, schools, and communities. The attached document outlines specific concerns and actionable recommendations regarding: - Children and Educational Environments: The impacts of dense wireless infrastructure, school-mandated Chromebooks, and classroom lighting/dimmers. - Real-World Aggregate Exposure: The necessity of measuring cumulative environmental loads beyond isolated laboratory conditions. - Systemic and Neurological Health: Biological plausibility, mitochondrial health, sleep architecture, and the lived realities of electrohypersensitive individuals. - Practical Engineering Alternatives: Proximity reduction, wired Ethernet alternatives (USB-to-RJ45 adapters), manual wireless radio deactivation, and transparent parental disclosure in schools. Thank you for your time, independent research, and consideration of these public health safeguards. Respectfully submitted, Richard Anthony Individual member of the public / consumer / family and community perspective Docket No.: HHS-OASH-2026-0397

Question Numbers: 3, 18 September 30, 2026 The EMP Victims collective – Victims of Electromagnetic Pollution – has been giving a voice for nearly two years to those who suffer from EMR Syndrome. We launched an international appeal, “EMR-S (EHS) Is a Humanitarian Emergency,” on February 14, 2024. Today, our website, www.empvictims.org, brings together: - More than 4,600 messages from signatories to our Appeal, reporting electromagnetic suffering around the world; - A series of video testimonials documenting lives shattered by mobile phone masts, mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, smart meters and other wireless devices communicating through radio frequencies, as well as by electrical and magnetic pollution, and also the indifference, or even denial, surrounding this suffering. People affected by EMR-S syndrome are environmental sentinels who alert us to the biological effects of EMFs and to the immediate and imperative need for zons free from wireless radiation for those who are most severely affected. We are also calling for a radical change in standards in order to protect those who are not yet suffering, particularly children and pregnant women, who are among the most vulnerable Our Appeal has been received by institutional officials who refuse to take into account the health and environmental consequences of the exponential increase in levels of artificial EMFs. We support Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the hope that the toxicity of electromagnetic radiation will finally be recognized and that each state will take the necessary measures to protect its population. (Attached are the appeal, the 4,653 messages submitted by signatories as of 30 September 2026, and the European Commission’s response.)

I am submitting this comment in response to HHS's Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radio Frequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. I am responding from the perspective of an individual with Electro Hyper Sensitivity caused by exposure to all of the above. Please refer to the file attached below for my story - how I became electro hypersensitive after ongoing exposure to electromagnetic fields and wireless radiation - how it evolved to become life threatening, forcing me to abandon my home and relocate to a low EMF location - how my health was permanently damaged and my everyday life forever changed by EMFs.